Apparatus for applying closures to bottles.



S. W. TAYLOR.

APPARATUS FOR APPLYING CLOSURES TO BOTTLES.

APPLICATION FILED MAR.30.1910.

1,117,533. Patented Nov. 17, 1914.

o W A t z u b MM S. W. TAYLOR. APPARATUS FOR APPLYING GLOSURBS TO BOTTLES. APPLICATION FILED MAILSO, 1910.

1,117,533, Patented N0v.17,1914.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

S. W. TAYLOR. APPARATUS FOR APPLYING GLOSUBES T0 BOTTLES.

APPLICATION TILED MAB..30, 1910.

Patented Nov. 17, 1914.

1 1 7,533 a SHEETS-SHEET s UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

SAMUEL W. TAYLOR, OF BALTIMORE, MARYLAND, ASSIGNOR TO THE CROWN CORK AND SEAL 60., OF BALTIMORE, MARYLAND.

APPARATUS FOR APPLYING CLOSURES TO BOTTLES.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 1'72, 1914.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, SAMUEL W. TAYLOR, citizen of the United States, residing at Baltimore, Maryland, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Ap aratus for Applying Closures to Bottles, 0 which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in bottle capping machines, and more particularly to that class of machines Which are used to apply flanged sheet metal caps to vitreous receptacles, such as bottles and thelike.

In machines of the character referred to, as ordinarily constructed, there is employed a capping tool, the receptacle being mounted on a support beneath it, and the tool and receptacle being brought into capping relation by a relative movement between the support and the tool. When such machines are actuated by power, the more usual form of construction has been to move the bottle support with relation to the tool, and to effect this movement by cam, or crank, or similar mechanism which tends to give the support a constant stroke. Inasmuch, however, as vitreous receptacles, which are those more usually capped in such machines, vary somewhat in length even though intended to be of the same length, devices which are more or less complicated in construction and, therefore, expensive to build and maintain, are employed for varying the amount of movement of the receptacle support, these devices acting after a predetermined pressure has been exerted on the receptacle by the tool.

The present invention has for one of its objects to produce a simple and effective capping machine embodying a cap applying tool and a receptacle support, relative movement between the tool and the support be ing eflected by suitably regulated fluid pressure operated means, thus enabling the capping operation to be rapidly and effectively performed and without liability of breaking the receptacles.

A further object of the invention is to produce a capping machine employing a plurality of capping tools and a suitable receptacle support or supports in which the relative movement between the tool and the bottle supporting means is effected by fluid pressure operated means, the construction being such that a plurality of receptacles may be capped in the machine irrespective of variations in the height of the receptacles.

With these and other objects not specifically referred to in view, the invention consists in certain constructions and in certain parts, improvements and combinations as will be hereinafter fully described and then specifically pointed out.

Referring to the accompanying drawings: Figure l is a front elevation of one form of machine embodying the invention. Fig: 2 is a side elevation of the machine illustrated in Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a sectional elevation of one form of cap applyin means which may be employed. Figs. 4 and 5 are sectional views of a valve mechanism which may be.employed. Fig. 6 is a sectional elevation of a modified form of device which may be employed for operating the-capping tool. Fig. 7 illustrates a modified form of machine embodying the invention.

Referring to the drawings which illustrate two embodiments of the invention, and more particularly to Figs. 1 to 5, 1 indicates a suitable table or base forming a part of the frame of the machine, this table being mounted on legs 2 and supporting the standards 3.

Machines embodying the invention include suitable receptacle supporting means.

In the construction illustrated in Figs. 1 to 5 inclusive, the table 1, generally speaking, constitutes the receptacle supporting means, this table, if desired, being provided with suitable seats or pads 4: located in recesses on which seats the receptacles are placed and centered.

Machines embodying the invention also employ a suitable capping tool, or a plurality of such tools, according to the type of machine. and a relative movement will be effected between such tool or tools and the receptacle supporting means by fluid pressure operated devices to bring the capping tool and a receptacle on the supporting means into capping relation to apply the cap.

The particular mechanism by which the capping operation is effected may be varied within wide limits. In the construction shown in Figs. 1 to 5, inclusive, which illustrate a machine adapted to simultaneously apply caps to a plurality of receptacles, the

standards 3 support a cross-plate 5 from which depend a plurality of cylinders 6, the plate and cylinders, in'this construction, being shown as cast integral. These cylinders provide chamber for pistons 7 having packing rings 8, as usual in sucn constructions. The pistons, inthe particular construction illustrated in Figs. 1 to 5, carry sleeves 9 working through stufiing boxes 10 in the lower ends of the cylinders, which sleeves actuate the capping tools.

The construction of the capping tool employedmay, of course, be varied widely. As shown, the tool consists of a ring 11 pro vided with a conical interior bore which, when the tool is forced down upon a receptacle, is adapted to bend in the flange of a cap superposed upon the receptacle. This capping tool is held in position by a sleeve 12 screwed onto the lower end of the sleeve 9, this sleeve being provided with a flaring mouth 13 adapted to center the receptacle to be capped. The tool is provided with fingers or dogs 14: which support the cap, a cap being, in constructions of this character, thrust upward into the capping tool prior to each capping operation.

A plunger, as 15, may be employed to firmly hold the cap on the fingers, and when employed, its stem may extend up into a recess in a second plunger, as 1G,'and be backed up by a light spring, as 17. "When a cap is thrust up into the capping tool the plunger 15 is raised against the stress of its spring and holds the cap firmly on the fingers 14;. The function of the second plunger 16, when the same is employed, is to assist in firmly seating the cap on the receptacle prior to the locking of the cap thereon by the capping cool. As shown, this plunger is provided with a flange, as 18, which rests upon a flange or shelf 19 extending inward from the sleeve 9. A heavy spring, as 9.0, surrounds the plunger 16, said spring bearing against the flange 18 and the under side of a plug, as 21, threaded through thepiston and upper part of the sleeve 9, being thus made adjustable for the purpose of varying the tension of the spring 20. i

The capping tool and the plunger constructions referred to are well-known in the art, and, as has been indicated, any other suitable mechanism may be substituted for them. i

In the particular construction illustrated in Figs. 1 to 5, the upper ends of the piston chambers formed in the cylinders 6 are closed by a plate 22 common to all the cylinders and secured in place in any suitable manner, as, for instance, by bolts 23. A suitable packing, not shown, may bedemployed between the plate and the tops of the cylinders.

Machines embodying the invention include suitable means for supplying fluid under pressure to the cylinders in order to actuate the pistons. This fluid pressure supplying means may be Widely varied in its character,

but, in the best constructions, it includes a source which supplies fluid to the piston but is not suiiicient to injure the receptacles during the cap applying operation.

In the particular construction illustrated in Figs. 1 to 5, there is provided an accum; Inulator or reservoir 24 provided with. air by a pipe 25, a regulating valve, indicated at 26, being employed, if desired, to control the inflow of the fluid. In this construction, the fluid is delivered" from the accummulator or reservoir by a pipe, as 27, to a suitable valve which governs the admission of the fluid to the cylinders. The construe tion of this governing valve may be widely varied. As shown, it. comprises a casing 28 in which is mounted a rotary valve 29 mounted on a sleeve 30 supported in the casing, this sleeve passing through a suitable stuiiing box 31. This rotary valve is seated against a plate, as 32, mounted in the casing, this plate being provided with ports 33, 3a, 35. The ports 33, 34 co1nmunicate with a passage 36 formed in a boss 37 extending from the casing. The -valve 29 is provided with an annular recess 38 registering with a similar recess 39 formed in the casing. The valve is further provided with two ports 40, 41 communicating with the annular passage formed by the recesses 38, 39. The ports are so arranged that in one position of the valve, the port 40 will communicate with the port 34: in the valve seat, and in another position of the valve, the port 41 will communicate with the port 35 in the valve seat, the port 3 1 being then closed. The valve 29 is also provided with two ports 42, 43 which lead to a central passage 44 formed in the sleeve 30, The ports 4:2, 43 are so arranged that when the port 450 in the valve is in communication with. the port 34: in the seat, the port 42 will be in communication with the port 35 in the seat, and when the port 41- in the valve is in communication with the port 35 in the seat the port 43 in the valve will be in communication with the port 33 in the seat. The chamber 36 of the valve casing communicates with a pipe 45 which is connected movement of the pistons at the time re-- ferred to may be controlled by means which differ widely in character. When it is con trolled by regulating the flow of the fluid into the piston chambers, this may be done by properly constructing either the fluid passage'or the valve mechanism which has been already described, or any suitable valve mechanism which may be substituted therefor. The best constructions embodying the invention, however, include a controlling mechanism which is independent of the valve mechanism referred to, and this controlling mechanism is of such a character that the rate of inflow of the fluid to the piston chambers may be independently controlled for each chamber.

In the construction illustrated in Figs. 1.

to 5, a regulating valve 47 is arranged between the pipe 45 and each of the branch pipes 46, and each of these valves may be so adjusted as to properly supply fluid to the chambers to give the desired rate of movement to the pistons. After the pistons have been moved to bring the receptacles and capping tools into capping relation, the pistons must, of course, be returned. The means by which the return of the pistons is efiected may be varied within wide limits. In the construction illustrated in Figs. 1 to 5, this is eifected by providing a pipe, as 48, which communicates with the port 35 in the valve seat and is connected by a tube 49 to a pipe 50, this pipe having branch connections 51 to each of the cylinders which lead into the piston chambers below the pistons. The pipe 50 may be provided with a cut-off valve 52 and a drain-cock 53. When the fluid supply is shut off from the passage 36, the port 35 is opened, thus admitting fluid below the pistons and'causing them to be returned to normal position.

Means may be provided to cushion the return stroke of the pistons. While these means maybe of any suitable character, in the construction illustrated in Figs. 1 to 5. there is provided a block 54 having elastic facings 55, this block being located on the top of the pistons.

Suitable operating means for the governing valve will be provided which means may be varied and which will. of course, vary according to the type of governing valve employed. In the construction illustrated, the sleeve 30 is provided with an arm 56 connected by a link 57 to an arm 58 mounted on a rock shaft 59 suitably supported in the frame. This rock-shaft has an operating arm 60 extending therefrom connectedby means of a link 61 to a treadle 62. A suitable spring, as 63, is provided for returning the treadle. Within the sleeve 30 is located a stem 64.- provided with a nut 65 which bears against the end of a sleeve'or elongated collar 66 to hold the valve 29 snugly against its seat. The passage 4-1, before referred to, is an exhaust passage, and, in the construction shown, is provided at its outer end with a cap 67 provided with ports 68. Mounted on this cap is a valve 65) provided with ports which coiiperate with the ports 68, this valve being adjusted to regulate the exhaust by means of a stem provided with a knurled head 70.

In the operation of the mechanism so far described, when the parts are in their normal position the port 41 in the valve is in communication with the port 35 in the seat, so that fluid is admitted to the under side of the several pistons. Caps having been placed in position in the several cappin tools and receptacleshaving been placed upon the pads 4, the operator depresses the treadle, turning the valve and allowing fluid to enter the several piston chambers, the rate of the flow being controlled by the valves 47. This causes the several pistons to descend and to bring the capping tools into contact with the caps on the receptacles, the speed of movement being, as before stated, so controlled that the tools do not strike the receptacles with suflicient force to injure them. As the capping tools come into contact with the caps on the receptacles and the downward movement of the pistons is checked, the pressure in the piston chambers increased up to substantially the full pressure of the fluid in the source of supply, thus causing the capping tools to com-- plete their operating movement and bend the flanges of the caps in against the shoulders on the receptacles. After the caps have been applied, the operator releases the treadle which is thrown by its spring, this shutting oil the supply of fluid to the tops of the cylinders and opening the passage through which the fluid flows beneath the pistons, thus effecting the return stroke of the pistons; this operation of the valve, of course, connecting the passage 36 with the exhaust passage and thus relieving the pressure above the pistons. The valve 69 is, of

course, so adjusted as to prevent a too rapid escape of the fluid from the exhaust passage, thus preventing a too rapid return of the pistons, and avoiding shock to the moving parts.

It is, of course, apparent that receptacles of widely different heights may be capped in the machine described without any adjustment of the capping mechanism with respect to the bottle supporting mechanism, the limitation as to variation in height being simply that imposed by the length of stroke of the pistons. For economical reasons, however, and particularly in order to avoid the use of an undue volume of fluid under pressure, it is desirable to provide means by which the position of the capping tools may. be generally adjusted with respect to the receptacle supporting means or vice versa. For instance, such an adjust ment might be obtained by placing upon the table 1 a block or a series of blocks which would raise the receptacles. In the constructicn illustrated, however, the adjustment is effected by providing the standards 3 with. openings 71 and the plate 5 with corresponding openings in whichkeys 7 2 are placed, this construction enabling the entire capping structure to be raised or lowered to vary the relation of the tools with respect to the supports to accommodate receptacles of different heights. Thus, when short inceptacles are to be capped, the entire capping construction can be lowered, thisreducing the necessary travel of the pistons during the capping operation and corre spondijngly reducing the volume of fluid under pressure in order to effect the capping operations.

It will, of course, be understood that the adjustment referred to will only be utilized when receptacles diflering widely in height are to be capped, as minor variations in the height of receptacles will be taken care of by varying amountsof travel of the pistons.

Instead of employing the cylinder and piston constructions illustrated in Figs. 1 to 5 inclusive, the construction illustrated in Fig. 6 may be employed. In this construction, the cylinder, marked 73, is shown as consisting of two parts secured together in any suitable manner, as, for instance, by threading one part into the other, as shown. Located between the two parts of the cylinder is a partition consisting of two plates 74 which divide the cylinder into two piston chambers 75, 76. A piston, as 77, is provided which works in the chamber 7 5 and a second piston 78 which works in the chamber76, these two pistons being connected by a rod, as 79, passing through an opening in the plates 74, this opening being packed by a suitable packing, as 80. The wall of the piston chamber is bored to provide a pas sage 81 connected by two ports 82, 83, with the piston chambers 75, 76, respectively, above the pistons. Valves 84 are provided which control the inflow of the fluid into the piston chambers through these ports 82, 83, these valves being similar in their action to the valve 47 before described. When, as in the construction shown in Fig. 1, a plurality of pistons is employed, the passage 81 for each piston chamber will be connected with the passages which conduct the fluid to the cylinders. If a construction like that shown in Fig. 1 is employed, pipes, 46, will be tapped into the passages 81. The wall of the cylinder is further bored to provide a passage 85 which is connected by a port 86 with the piston chamber below the piston 77, this port being controlled by a valve 87. This passage will be connected with a suitable pipe corresponding to the pipe 50, in the construction shown in Fig. 1, to permit the fluid to flow in below the piston and thus return the same. When a construction like that just described is employed thepiston 78 wil be providedwith suitable means for securing a capping tool thereto. I

A construction like that shown in Fig. 6 just described is advantageous in that since two pistons are employed, the diameter of the piston chambers and cylinders may be considerably reduced without decreasing the force developed by the fluid. Another advantage of this construction is that should the pressure under which the fluid is sup-.

plied vary or be different in difi'erent bottling establishments, a single piston may be employed where the pressure is comparatively high and the two pistons may be employed where the pressure is comparatively low.

In the modification shown in'l ig. 7, the construction. is arranged so that the capping tools are stationary and the receptacles are moved toward the tools. In this construction, a plurality of capping heads 88 are employed, these heads being provided with capping tools and plungers similar to the construction illustrated in Fig. 3, these heads being mounted on a cross-plate 89 supported on standards 90 forming a part of the frame. To provide for the general adjustment before referred to, the upper ends of these standards are threaded and the plate 89 is held between nuts 91. In this construction the receptacles rest on individual carriers or supports v92 which may be connected in any suitable manner to pistons similar to the pistons 7 illustrated in Fig. 3. The pipe connections may be similar to those described, the controlling valves 47, however, being located beneath the table of the machine instead of above it.

The mechanisms hereinbefore described are particularly adapted for the employment of an elastic fluid, such as air. It is to be understood, however, that the invention is not confined to machines employing air or similar elastic fluid, as the invention may be carried into effect by machines designed to employ liquids.

Changes and variations may be made in the constructions by which the invention is carried into effect. The invention is not, therefore, to be confined to the particular constructions hereinbefore described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

What is claimed is 1. In a machine for pressing the body portion of a crown cap into intimate contact with the bottle lip and for crimping the skirt of the cap about a peripheral shoulder on the neck and in combination, means for supportin the bottles to be capped, a tool for operating on the cap by pressure applied substantially in the direction of the axis of the bottle, a fluid supply under a substantially predetermined pressure, means operated thereby for effecting relative movement of the tool and support and controlling means for limiting the initial pressure on the tool for preventing destructive impact thereof and for permitting the pressure to rise sufiiciently after the impact to complete the capping operation.

2. In a machine for pressing the body portion of a crown cap into intimate contact with the bottle lip and for crimping the skirt of the cap about a shoulder on the neck and in combination, means for supporting the bottle to be capped, a tool for operating on the cap under pressure applied substantially in the direction of the axis of the bottle and a controlled fluid pressure supply for initially operating a tool under a pressure insufficient to cause destructive impact of the tool and subsequently under a higher pressure for completing the capping operation. i

3. In a machine for pressing a crown cap into intimate contact with the mouth of a receptacle and for crimping the skirt of the cap about a shoulder on the receptacle and in combination, means for supporting the receptacle to be capped, a tool for operating on the cap, a cylinder, a piston working therein and operatively connected to the tool, a fluid supply under a substantially predetermined pressure, a passa e way between the fluid supply and cylin er, a valve for controlling the same, and additional controlling means whereby the initial pressure on the piston is limited for preventing destructive impact of the tool and the pressure is thereafter permitted to rise for completing the capping operation.

4. In a machine for pressing the body portion of a crown cap into contact with the bottle lip and crimping the skirt of the cap about a shoulder on the neck, and in combination, a plurality of capping tools, a receptacle for supporting the bottles to be capped, a fluid pressure supply common to all of the tools, and means individual to the tools for controlling the fluid supply thereto whereby, irrespective of the inequality in the receptacles to which the caps are being applied, each tool is initially operated under a pressure insufficient to cause destructive impact and thereafter under a greater pressure suflicient to complete the capping.

5. A machine for securing crown caps to bottles and in combination, a capping tool, a supply of fluid under a substantially predetermined pressure, a cylinder, a piston working therein, operatively connected to the capping tool, a passage way between the fluid supply and cylinder including a main conduit and branch conduits leading to the cylinder on the upper and lower sides of the piston, a valve casing and valve for alternately connecting one of the branch conduits with the main conduit and the other with an exhaust, means for operating the valve, and additional controllin means associated with the branch conduit l eading to the cylinder above the piston, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof, I afiix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

SAMUEL W. TAYLOR.

Witnesses:

HARVEY COALE, HowARn'D. AnAMs. 

